Dinner with Darlina and Neil

Last night, we had a dinner with Neil and Darlina Harris. We met at KLCC for dinner. The Harrises will be going back to their home in Bahrain on Saturday.

Right: Dee surfing on Girl-Girl's blog through my PDA phone

We caught up with chats and chin-wags. It is also the first time we met Neil since we last saw him at his place in Knuttsford, near Manchester three years ago. Neil is now the design manager for a British consulting group WS Atkins in Bahrain. He flew in two days before Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. He was his usual self; being witty and a little bit ckeeky.......

Left: Neil and I

It was deemed special as Dee would be celebrating her 4oth birthday tomorrow. This would be our last opportunity to catch up with them since they will busy with her family from tomorrow night onwards, till they leave Malaysia.

Right: As dinner being served

Tun Dr. Mahathir's Openhouse

I was at fourth Prime Minister's openhouse this afternoon in Mines Resort, Seri Kembangan. It was a day to remember. I wasn't sure how many people actually turned up, but it the scores of visitors and well wishers waiting in queue to wish "Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri" to the hosts were endless.

Right: With Dato' Mukhriz Mahathir

There was even a Tun Dr. Mahathir facebook fan club, who organised a trip for the Openhouse. This a manifestation of how the Statesman is very much respected and well liked, by Malaysians from all walks of life.

Left: Facebook Fan club in attendance

Fellow bloggers Ahirudin "Rocky" Attan and Nuraina A. Samad were present too. So were other usual friends of mine. Some were first timers. They all had a great time.

Right: With close blogging buddies

The Hari Raya is incomplete without wishing the hosts personally. And my friend, bloggo-photo-journo shot this.







Left: An action-kodak moment

This was a good afternoon indeed.

The last morning in Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru

This is our last morning here. It has been our home for this Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, since first day Syawal. For thirteen consecutive Hari Raya we did this. It is a 'home' for us whenever we are in Johor Bahru.

Right: Second day Syawal, at the lobby

The morning started with the 'sea trials' again. We did not achieve the results we desired.

Left: Commandant of the submarine operations with HMS Si Kunit

Then back up to the room to change and packing. Soon, we will say goodbye to all the friendly frontline staffs here at Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru, who have treated us more like family rather than guests.

Right: Girl-Girl dwell into her My Space whilst Mama packs

I shall be back here again soon. Most probably by end of next week, for work. This time, half of my Business Development Team would be here as well.

Left: Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim from our window

Annual trip to Singapore

Like any other Hari Raya Aidil Fitri ritual, to spend time in Johor Bahru is incomplete without a trip to Republic of Singapore. So at half past ten, we shot off across the causeway. Our first order the day would be a visit to Linda's late father's resting place at Pusara Aman, Chua Chu Kang. Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is always All Souls moment for us.

Right: Pusara Aman

Most probably this will be our last visit to this cemetry. Mohamed Said Sulaiman's remains. who has been interned here since 18 September 1979, has now been asked to be relocated to a smaller plot. This is the usual Singapore Government policy, as land is very scarce in this nation state. So they recycle cemetery plots. By January, we shall be moving the remains elsewhere. Most probably, somewhere in Malaysia.

Right: Crusing along PIE eastwards

Then, we off to do some shopping. We left Pusara Aman, along Jalan Bahar, onto PIE eastwards and then into Newton Circus via Stevens Rd. This leads right into Scotts Rd., where one can turn into Orchard Rd. However, since its weekday, the ERP is being enforced.

Right: Nasi Beriyani and Murtabak Singapura with a new view

So after some shopping, which include some basmati from Mustafa Centre in Serangoon, we headed to North Bridge Road for some very late lunch. The restaurant we frequent is right infront of the famous Masjid Sultan.

Left: Rush hour at the Singapore CIQ

Then we experienced the Friday evening rush hour at the causeway. Personally, I am intrigued at the amount of Malaysians who commute across the border for employment everyday.

Right: First 'sea trials'

As soon as we reached the hotel, its 'sea trials' for me and Girl-Girl. We bought a remote controlled submarine. Like our annual Hari Raya trip to Singapore, one of a required acquisition for her are toys. So this year is this submarine.

Left: The commander of the new submarine

She spent a great deal of fun learning through discovery about the submarine! Of course, we have to do more sea trials first thing in the morning. She needed to perfect her submarining skills.



I must say, it had been a very good day indeed.....

HMS Si Kunit

Second day of Hari Raya with old friends

Today is the second day of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri in Johor Bahru. I decided to look up old schools friends.

The first thing in the morning, I dropped by my cousin's place. His quarters is nearby our hotel. Then, I went to look up Mohd. Fazil Ismail. His mother lives in Larkin. Its been sometime since we saw each other. This year marks the 28th anniversary we have known each other rather closely.

Right: At Fazil's mom

Then we popped by Abah's cousin's place in Desa Rahmat. This had been an annual agenda. Then, we went to visit Fadhil Ahmad, another ex MRSM buddy. He reside in Pulai Perdana, ever since his marriage five years ago.

Left: Catching up on a lost whole year

Fadhil and his wife Jid are ever as great hosts as they are, despite Jid is due to deliver any time now.

This was another great second day Hari Raya Aidil Fitri indeed.

Typical Hari Raya in Johor Bahru

Like any other year, we will go back to Johor Bahru after all the rituals at home is done. This afternoon, after my cousin and neighbour left, we pushed off at quarter to three. We load the Enterprise up, with all the usual things we always bring with us (which include 'Super Soaker' guns!). It was a rather boring journey, as getting through Seremban was a drag.

Right: The Enterpise loaded up. Notice the 'Super Soakers', to the left of the Minnie Mouse luggage and pillows on top of it. The blue luggage is our thermal bag. The white paper bags on the bottom right side are mineral water.

The journey this year required 15% more time or 30 minutes to be precise. After Air Keroh, it was a smooth ride and the weather was fine.

Left: Commandering the Enterprise, somewhere past Simpang Ampat

My navigator, Girl-Girl, kept me company all the way. We reached mom in law's place at half past six and we had our traditional Hari Raya feast, with all the food we brought fom Kuala Lumpur. The missus prohibit the mother to cook this year because of her recent state of health.

Right: The navigator

At half past eight, we checked into Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru. This has been our annual home for the 13th consecutive Hari Raya Aidil Fitri visit. It is a place feels like home. The warmth of the people who serve us here is the key.

Left: Puteri Pacific lobby

After shower, we went to Chu's for dinner. Later, at half past eleven, its the traditional Hari Raya visit to BJ's. Usually, we'd only be back at the hotel by two. For twelve Hari Raya, we do this.

It's a good Hari Raya Aidil Fitri indeed.

Experiencing Hari Raya Aidil Fitri morning

Today is 1 Syawal 1429H. Today is also Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, first day. I was up by 610 am and amazingly, by 750am, I was already at the Mujahideen Mosque in Damansara Utama for the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri ritual.

Right: Hari Raya Aidil Fitri prayers as Mujahideen Mosque

For the longest time, I have been doing this ritual. As far back as four years old, Abah took me to the mosque. Then it was Muo Jamek' Mosque. Its been almost twenty years since I offered Hari Raya prayers in the mosque. My Atuk Tina, Zaharah Mohd. Yunos passed away in June 1989. Since then, we have not been to Muo for first day Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Being early, I managed to get a good spot. It is important for the duration of at least 1 1/4 hours in the mosque.

The Imam reminded the congregation to preserve the faith as this is the Muslims' strongest weapon to defend themselves against all the challenges in the dynamic world. After the prayer and traditional sermon, the congregation caught up which each other, asking for forgiveness in the wake of a typical Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, as the spirit to strengthen brotherhood as neighbours and friends.

Right: Abah with Hj Rahmat

Left: Abah chatting up with Tan Sri Azman

Then back home, we asked forgiveness from each other and offer our sincere Hari Raya Aidil Fitri wishes, with love. A usual morning is never complete without the traditional breakfast. Again, like as far back as I can remember, we have ketupat with sayur masak lodeh, sambal sotong, sambal kacang and three types of rendang - beef meat, beef liver and chicken.


And the kids, they get the traditional duit raya. Its a practice the Malays have been doing ever since Abah could remember. It is something to bring cheer to the people who finds the most joy during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri; the children.

Right: Just about to eat, after a month of skipping breakfast

For this year's Hari Raya Aidil Fitri album:

Left: Our family in blue










To all the Muslims in the cybersphere;

Happy Eid Mubarak.